Fantasy fiction, a genre as old as storytelling itself, weaves a tapestry of imagination and wonder that transcends the boundaries of reality.
It’s a genre where the impossible becomes not only possible but extraordinary. In the realm of fantasy, authors aren’t bound by the constraints of our world, enabling them to explore themes, ideas, and emotions that might be difficult to convey in other genres.
It is a genre that invites readers to dream, to wonder, and to question the limits of their own imagination.
While fantasy literature has seen immense popularity worldwide, the landscape of Indian fiction has, until recently, remained relatively unexplored by this genre. However, the tide is changing, and Indian authors are increasingly venturing into the enchanting realms of fantasy.
In this article, we at BookGeeks have curated a selection of four extraordinary Indian fantasy novels, all freshly published in 2023. These literary gems represent the pinnacle of Indian fantasy writing for this year, showcasing the evolution and expansion of the genre in India.
These books are a testament to the boundless creativity of Indian authors, offering readers a portal to captivating new worlds.
Within their pages, you will encounter vibrant characters, meticulous world-building, and narratives rich with enchanting storytelling, leaving you unquestionably spellbound and yearning for more.
Best Indian Fantasy Novels: From Myths to Modern Magic
- The Yogi Witch: Bloodlines and Legacies by Zorian Cross
- Mad Sisters of Esi by Tashan Mehta
- Stolen Hours and Other Curiosities by Manjula Padmanabhan
- The Last Dragoners of Bowbazar by Indra Das
The Yogi Witch: Bloodlines and Legacies by Zorian Cross
When it comes to Indian fantasy novels, how can we not forget Zorian Cross’s The Yogi Witch.
Jai Gill’s life is a dual existence; by day, he’s a yoga instructor and tarot reader, by night, a witch who battles demons. Orphaned and raised by his grandmother and aunts in an ivy-clad mansion in Delhi, their home also doubles as a family coven and yoga studio for the city’s elite.
Everything changes when a mysterious neighbour with dark secrets arrives. Witches like Jai are cursed in love.
As myths come to life and the ordinary becomes enchanting, Jai’s family reveals hidden truths, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. Amid lavender tea and guilt-free pastries, they embark on a captivating journey of curses and supernatural revelations.
Mad Sisters of Esi by Tashan Mehta
Within the cosmic chambers of the Whale of Babel, Myung and Laleh are the guardians, weaving their own folktales and offering prayers to the mysterious ‘Great Wisa.’ For Laleh, this existence is everything, but for Myung, it falls short.
Myung’s departure from the whale leads her into a new universe where islands shift shape and ancient maps dictate destinies. There, an adventure unfolds, both tragic and transformative, not only for Myung but for Laleh as well. At the heart of her quest lies a profound mystery that has perplexed scholars for generations: the enigma of the mad sisters of Esi.
This spellbinding fantasy, crafted by the renowned author Tashan Mehta, surely deserves the coveted spot on our best Indian fantasy novels list. It interweaves fables, dreams, and myths across three distinct landscapes. It introduces us to a museum of collective memory and a festival of madness, all while raising a fundamental question: In a world plunged into devastating chaos, where truths continually shift, what will you choose to hold onto?
Stolen Hours and Other Curiosities by Manjula Padmanabhan
In a realm of rebellious cell phones, alluring holograms, and even a tourist vampire with an appetite for spicy Indian blood, Manjula Padmanabhan weaves a captivating tapestry of twenty-five short stories. Her distinctive twist on reality crafts imaginative futures while preserving the essence of our contemporary world.
These stories whisk readers from opulent party guests who suddenly find themselves stripped bare to a teenage time thief, from mosquitoes spreading Gandhian pacifism to a dystopian world where canned air becomes a necessity. Each tale raises pressing questions about our society and its direction. Where is our path leading, and is it one we truly desire to follow?
This extraordinary collection, a blend of humour, provocation, and profundity, serves up a fusion of fantasy and science fiction with a touch of ghee and a sprinkle of dark matter. Once you embark on this journey, it will hold you captive until the very last page.
The Last Dragoners of Bowbazar by Indra Das
Ru is a boy whose origins remain shrouded in mystery. Living in the bustling city of Calcutta, he often finds himself at odds with his classmates, who insist he doesn’t quite belong. When he turns to his parents for answers, they speak of their nomadic heritage, yet Ru can’t help but wonder where those nomads themselves came from.
The notion of “where” continually plagues this boy who seems to hail from nowhere. In his dreams, he envisions fantastical landscapes, reminiscent of the tales his father shared during his childhood. These dreams paint a picture of a culture that seems absent in this world but might find its place in another realm, where sky and sea merge, and humans traverse endless oceans atop divine creatures.
While Calcutta is his current residence, it doesn’t always feel like home. His bond with Alice, his friend from the neighbouring Chinatown, helps him find a sense of belonging. However, as Ru’s closest friend begins to uncover the multitude of enigmas concealed within Ru’s household and family, the question continues to linger: where does his family truly originate?
Could they indeed be wanderers from an undefined realm, newcomers to this existence? If that’s the case, what extraordinary forces guided them across the immense expanses of the impossible to arrive here, and what might their ultimate purpose be?
And with that, we conclude our exploration of the Indian fantasy novels. In the enchanting realm of Indian fantasy literature, where the extraordinary seamlessly merges with the ordinary, these four exceptional novels serve as a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of the genre in India.
Have any gems to add to this captivating collection? Share your thoughts in the comments below!